DID LOMBARDI STRIKE OUT ON LANGENBRUNNER?

Jamie Langenbrunner is a Dallas Star…for all of a 2nd or 3rd round pick depending on certain conditions including winning in the playoffs and re-signing him. Now, you all know the rumors that were swirling about Jamie to the Kings and how Dean was trying to trade for him. After I read about the trade, the following occurred to me, assuming of course Dean was pursuing him which I tend to believe he was.

(1) A 3rd round pick or a conditional 2nd is a small price to pay if the team intends to be a contender and win this season.

(2) The Dallas Stars are currently winning and playing very well. This move tells the hockey world that they consider themselves a contender.

“There’s no guarantees in this game. We know that,” Langenbrunner said. “But it was to, one, go to a team that’s at least trying to contend right now and, two, where I felt it would be a comfortable fit. It can’t be just a square peg in a round hole type thing. I felt comfortable there. I know a few of the players. I feel that what I bring might not be there right now. So, there was a lot that made sense for me.”

(4) I doubt seriously Lamoriello was asking more from L.A. than he negotiated with Dallas.

(5) I didn’t necessarily want Jamie on this team because of what may go the other way but when I read that all it took was a conditional pick, I got to thinking this was a salary dump, we could have afforded it, it was a far better move than Sturm (who is coming back from injury and is completely ineffective) and it would have really solidified our bottom 9. In other words, these are the kinds of moves that contenders make.

(6) Jamie Langenbrunner probably did not want to come to L.A. I say this because (a) he had a no trade clause he had to waive, and (b) it is a reasonable and safe assumption based on the quotes I have read that there were several teams interested which included L.A. Perhaps I am incorrect here. But, Jamie fits the mold. Veteran. Character guy. Still has enough in the tank to help this team. Proven playoff producer. Cup winner. Not signed beyond this season.

(7) I believe Dean struck out again and failed to bring in a piece that could have made this team better. There is one caveat here: Jamie would have lifted us toward the Cap ceiling. If Dean has a bigger move in mind, then not getting Jamie makes perfect sense…but then, you would have to also believe that he never wanted Jamie and was not in the running for him. I don’t know that but I know of someone who could ask him. Think he’ll ask?

“First of all, I despise the word rebuilding because I don’t think that should be the case,” Lamoriello said. “We have to look at what the reasons are that we find ourselves in this situation. In my opinion it’s not talent, but maybe it’s the wrong talent, wrong chemistry. That starts with me. I don’t look at it as rebuilding. This isn’t something that you have to go subtract, subtract and subtract and start from the bottom. Absolutely not. You have to be very careful of how you approach it and take a step back and look at the big picture and reasons to be part of the solution. There is no reason we should be in this state right now.”